Escambia County Unemployment Rate Jumps By More Than Half A Point
July 24, 2022
Escambia County unemployment increased at more than half a point last month, according to newly released data from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.
The unemployment rate in Escambia County was 3.1% in June, up from 2.5% in May. That represented 4,655 people out of work out of a county workforce of 151,392. One year ago, Escambia County’s unemployment rate was 5.2%, or 7,506 people.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Pensacola area’s private sector employment increased by 5.5 percent over the year, representing 8,800 jobs gained. The Pensacola area labor force increased by 9,773 jobs, a 4.2 percent increase over the year
The industries gaining the most jobs over the year were professional and business services (+2,200 jobs), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+2,000 jobs).
Florida’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in June 2022, down 0.1 percentage point from the revised May rate. . The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.6 percent in June.
Pensacola Red Hotts Win League World Series
July 24, 2022
The Pensacola Red Hotts 15U recreation softball team won the All American Youth Sports World Series recently at the Gulfport (MS) Sportsplex. The team went undefeated during the tournament.
The Pensacola Red Hotts’ home park is NEP.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
DeSantis Appoints Cantonment Man As First Circuit Judge; Woman To Escambia Court
July 24, 2022
Gov. DeSantis has appointed a Cantonment man as a First Circuit Court judge and a Pensacola woman to the county court.
Randall “Todd” Harris of Cantonment was appointed to serve as judge on the First Judicial Circuit Court. Harris is a partner at Fleming, Harris, Bond, Bush & Associates, PLLC. Previously, he worked at McDonald Fleming, LLP for nine years. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida and his law degree from Florida State University. Harris fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael A. Flowers.
Kristina “Tina” Lightel of Pensacola was appointed to serve as judge on the Escambia County Court. Lightel is an assistant regional counsel in the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. Previously, she worked as an attorney for the Department of Children and Families and as an assistant state attorney in the First Judicial Circuit. She received her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Alabama. Lightel fills the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Amy Brodersen.
Courtesy photo.
Wahoos Beat Biloxi 7-5 Saturday Night
July 24, 2022
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos defeated the Biloxi Shuckers 7-5 Saturday night.
Thomas Jones went 2-4 with a homer, RBI and two runs for the Wahoos. Victor Mesa was 2-4 with an RBI and two runs.
Zach McCambley earned the win for the Wahoos, allowing six hits and striking out four.
Escambia Man Guilty Of Shooting And Killing His Stepson
July 23, 2022
An Escambia County man was found guilty Friday of shooting his stepson in December of 2020 off Kingsfield Road.
James Isiah Blackmon, Jr., 56, was convicted of second degree murder for the death of Christopher Roan, his stepson, and attempted first degree murder of Samantha Noble, Roan’s girlfriend.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the home on Packwood Drive, just off East Kingsfield Road, to find Blackmon’s wife standing on the front porch of the home and stating that her son was dead and her husband had fled the scene.
Deputies entered the home to find Roan on the floor partially in a hallway with a female witness by his side. He was dead with a gunshot wound to his forehead and multiple gunshot wounds to his torso, according to an ECSO report.
Moments later, deputies were behind Blackmon’s vehicle as it headed back to the scene. Deputies conducted a traffic stop in front of the home (pictured) and took him into custody without further incident. A Smith and Wesson handgun was on the floorboard of the Charger, deputies said.
Blackmon’s attorney argued the shooting was self defense.
His sentencing is set for September 8.
Exclusive photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
FWC Law Enforcement Report: Fishing And Boating Enforcement
July 23, 2022
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Specialist Allgood and Officer Burkhead were on patrol and observed a vessel returning to the Wilson Robertson Boat Ramp with no registration numbers. The officers conducted a safety inspection and asked the operator for his license. When running the license on the subject, it was determined the individual had an active warrant in Escambia County. The operator was arrested and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
Officer Burkhead was on patrol and conducted resource inspections on four fishermen when they returned to Mahogany Mill Boat Ramp. He found them in possession of eight red snapper. The season for red snapper was closed. Officer Burkhead issued citations for the violations.
Officers Cushing and Petty were on patrol in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on red snapper enforcement. Officer Petty issued state citations to individuals on three different vessels for being in possession of red snapper during the closed state season.
While returning from offshore, Officer Cushing observed a vessel secured to a private dock near Galvez Landing. The vessel had been seen earlier returning from the Gulf of Mexico through the Perdido Pass and at that time the Officer observed many fishing poles in the rod holders. Officer Cushing contacted the individual that was sitting next to the vessel. When questioned about catching fish, the individual denied having any. A second subject approached and denied having any fish when questioned. The third subject returned, who was the owner of the vessel and denied having any fish or catching any fish, stating that it was “too rough”. Officer Cushing observed several red snapper scales in the large cooler on the vessel. When questioned about them, the owner stated that they had one small one but threw it back. Officer Cushing asked if they had moved any fish off the vessel and they denied that they had. Officer Cushing went with the owner to get the registration for the vessel from his truck. The officer observed a fish cleaning station behind a garage. He located six red snapper in whole condition buried under ice in the sink. The season for red snapper is closed. All of the subjects were cited for the violation.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Corbin and Bower located a derelict vessel on Blackwater River near a local boat ramp. The vessel’s steering and engines had been removed. They spoke with the previous owner of the vessel who advised he had acquired it from a junk yard and planned on restoring the vessel, but never did. The previous owner provided information of who he gave the vessel to. After weeks of attempting to locate the owner, a phone number was located, and Officer Corbin met the new owner of the vessel. The current owner was aware of the condition of the vessel and had not been able to remove the vessel from the water to restore it. The owner of the vessel was issued a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel on state waters and warning for other violations.
Officer R. Bower was on water patrol at Navarre Beach boat ramp. Two vessels were observed violating the idle speed zone. After speaking with the occupants of both vessels it was determined that the vessels were recently involved in a boating accident. The personal watercraft (PWC) struck the anchored boat, then navigated back to the boat ramp. While navigating to the boat ramp a nearby swimmer was almost struck by the operator of the PWC. The swimmer waved his arms in the air to alert the operator of the PWC. The officer conducted a boating accident investigation and interviewed the operator of the PWC and placed him under arrest for Boating Under the Influence (BUI).
Escambia School Orientations Are Set. Here’s The Schedule.
July 23, 2022
Mark you calendars…here are the dates and times for Escambia County school orientation sessions:
Elementary Schools
- All elementary school orientations will be August 5 from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m.
Middle Schools
- Bellview Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Beulah Middle – August 8, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Brown-Barge Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Ernest Ward Middle – August 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Ferry Pass Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Jim C. Bailey Middle – August 8, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- Ransom Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
- Warrington Middle – August 8, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Workman Middle – August 8, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
High Schools
- Pine Forest High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – noon
- Escambia High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – noon
- Washington High – July 29, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- West Florida High – July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Tate High – August 6, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Northview High – August 8, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Pensacola High – August 4, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Escambia County Triple Shooting Suspect Wanted
July 23, 2022
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man wanted in a triple shooting. And deputies say he should be considered armed and dangerous.
Traekese Devon Calhoun., 19, is wanted on three counts of attempted homicide in connection with a shooting May 4 on Besma Drive.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP or the ECSO at (850) 436-9620.
Two other people have already been charged in the shooting.
Jayshawn Jackson, 18, was charged in May with three counts of attempted homicide, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed firearm and other charges. Adrianna Jackson, 19, was charged in early July with three counts of principal to attempted homicide.
Northview Chiefs Hold Football Camp
July 23, 2022
The Northview Chiefs held their Football Youth Camp on Thursday and Friday. Participants ages 8-14 received fundamental coaching and instruction led by the Northview High coaching staff. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Wahoos Fall To Biloxi 5-1
July 23, 2022
In their return from the All-Sar break, the Blue Wahoos fell 5-1 to the Biloxi Shuckers Friday night in Biloxi. Photo for NOrthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.